June 30, 2016

"Engaging North Korea: US Policies to Improve Bilateral Relations"



Engaging North Korea: US Policies to Improve Bilateral Relations


Sponsored by Korea Peace Network and Partnerships for International Strategies in Asia (PISA)
Thursday, June 23, 2016, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The Elliott School of International Affairs, GWU, Washington, DC


Tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have arguably reached historic highs in the first few months of 2016. Relations between the two countries appear deadlocked following North Korea´s nuclear test in January, the largest ever U.S.-South Korea military exercises, several North Korean rocket launches, US-led sanction efforts, vicious rhetoric and more. Further, the Obama Administration´s policy of ´strategic patience´ has not yielded diplomatic progress and both official and back-channel dialogue have reportedly ceased.


Yet, despite the impasse between the two countries, there remain an array of policy options to help de-escalate tensions, increase understanding, build trust, and ultimately pave the way for a peacebuilding process. Join the Korea Peace Network and GWU´s Partnership for International Strategies in Asia as we explore a menu of policy options to build a more peaceful Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia. The all-day event featured discussions with academics, policy analysts, U.S. government officials, practitioners from across the foreign policy spectrum, and more.


9:30-10:45 Panel I
The Korea Exception to the Mine Ban Treaty & Obama´s Last Days in Office
11:00-12:30 Panel II
Remembering the Forgotten: Retrieving the Remains of US Veterans Left in North Korea
1:30-3:00 Panel III
Communication Breakdown: People-to-people Exchanges & Building Understanding
3:30-6:00 Film Screening and remarks on Divided Families
Film: "People are the Sky" - Dai Sil Kim-Gibson

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